Press Release - 17th March 2014

Bradford Dragons continued their impressive end of season form on Sunday with a 65-75 win away to Newham Neptunes (NASSA). The win is Bradford’s fifth in a row and strengthens their push for the top three ahead of the play-offs in April.

The game as a whole was a fiery and competitive one. It was shaped by numerous technical fouls and some terrific three point shooting. Bradford had their usual second half dominance which must be attributed to coach Chris Mellor, supreme team fitness and a deep squad.

After travelling all the way to the South London Docklands Dragons would have to be forgiven for a sluggish start. The first quarter ended 18-13, as the Dragons were yet to find their rhythm.

It was much of the same in second half as Dragons struggled to execute their offensive and defensive plays. The first half ended 32-29 to Newham.

In the third quarter Dragons established their usual second half superiority. Bradford finished the quarter leading 51-47.

Spear-headed by Nathan Ashley the Dragons began to push further into the lead and were able to hold off a late NASSA resurgence. The game finished 75-65 the lead possibly flattering Bradford as they see off a strong home team.

Point-guard Carl Pearson (15 points) made it back to back games as on of the Dragons leading scorers. Nathan Ashley too had one of his strongest games for Bradford with 15 points.

Dragons next EBL division 1 home game is against second placed Hemel Storm on Saturday 29th March. Tip off 6.15pm in the Dragons Den in the sports hall, Bradford College, Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0JE. Admission is £5 for adults, £2.50 for under 18s, students, concessions etc and £10 for a family ticket [2 adults + 2 children].

Elsewhere for Dragons it was a successful weekend for Bradford's youth teams. Dragons 2 game at Rawthorpe Eagles was postponed. Dragons 3 men lost heavily away to Aireborough Arrows 44–101 in their Leeds & District league division 2 game.

Dragons U16s travelled to table topping York Eagles and won 85-84, the following day they wrapped up their EBL U16 north east conference season with a 85 – 44 home win against Gateshead Phoenix. The u16s eventually finished top of the division earning them their first appearance in the U16 play-offs.

Dragons U15s travelled to Nottingham for their first round play-off game against Notts Nova winning 87 – 78 .

Dragons U14s also wrapped up their season with a home win 79 – 63 against Liverpool Tigers to finish second in EBL U14 division north securing a place in the play offs.

Dragons U13s, still unbeaten on the season, beat City of Birmingham U13s 105 – 70 in the first round of the EBL U13 play offs. They will now play London Baltic Stars on 22/3/14 in the U13 play off quarter finals.